Bold Horizons – Kavita Krishnaswamy ’07

Sep 4, 2015 / 4 minutes of reading

Like many UMBC alumnae, Kavita Krishnaswamy ’07, mathematics and computer science, feels driven to create a better world for the next generation. More than most alumnae, however, she has a visceral, personal sense of what that better world might require. Krishnaswamy lives with spinal muscular atrophy, a progressive neurological condition that has gradually robbed her of the ability to move below the neck. Today, she is a doctoral student in computer science at UMBC, and she has devoted the past six years of her life to designing prototypes for robotic assistive tools that could give more independence to people with… Continue Reading Bold Horizons – Kavita Krishnaswamy ’07

A Royal Road – Keri Burneston ’99

Sep 4, 2015 / 5 minutes of reading

What does it take to be the Miss Exotic World, Reigning Queen of Burlesque? And, what’s more, to make a career from an art form that you love? Ask Trixie Little (aka Keri Burneston ’99, visual and performing arts). Little took her crown in June at the Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend Tournament of Tease in Las Vegas, and she offered UMBC Magazine her reflections on a career onstage that’s been capped with this unique honor. I’m Trixie Little. I am the Reigning Queen of Burlesque 2015. I have been performing my own style of “acrobatic burlesque” since 2002,… Continue Reading A Royal Road – Keri Burneston ’99

Round Up: UMBC in the News

Sep 3, 2015 / 2 minutes of reading

One of the things that makes UMBC great is how wonderful our alumni, students, faculty, and staff are. Because of these amazing people, UMBC often finds itself “in the news,” so each week, we’ll be sharing with you a round-up of the most newsworthy achievements from our community. Sarah Jewett, head of the STEM Transfer Student Success Initiative, along with Susan Martin of the Center for Women in Technology, writes about the importance of promoting STEM success for underrepresented and underserved student populations. Roy Meyers, political science, questions the methods the Mercatus study used to determine Maryland’s fiscal health. Anupam Joshi… Continue Reading Round Up: UMBC in the News

Play Hard – Alex Pyles ’09

Sep 2, 2015 / 3 minutes of reading

Alex Pyles ’09, English and media and communication studies, had loyal friends during his UMBC days. One night, when he returned to his UMBC dorm room after covering a Baltimore Orioles player’s rehab assignment with the Frederick Keys (the Orioles’ single A minor league team), he found his roommates with their laptops open. They were clicking repeatedly on an article that he had just posted on the website of The Baltimore Sun. Thirty minutes later, Pyles’ story was atop the Sun’s “most read articles” list. And it was only his first byline. Eight years later, Pyles manages the Sun’s coverage… Continue Reading Play Hard – Alex Pyles ’09

Round Up: UMBC in the News

Aug 21, 2015 / 2 minutes of reading

One of the things that makes UMBC great is how wonderful our alumni, students, faculty, and staff are. Because of these amazing people, UMBC often finds itself “in the news,” so each week, we’ll be sharing with you a round-up of the most newsworthy achievements from our community. James Smalls, visual arts, discusses why students responded to his class on race, gender, and sexuality in the Star Trek universes Thomas Scaller, political science, comments on the challenges Kristin Beck will face in her run to become the Democratic nominee for Maryland’s 5th District’s congressional seat UMBC’s Kinetic Sculpture Race team… Continue Reading Round Up: UMBC in the News

Congratulations to Our 2015 Alumni Award Winners!

Aug 20, 2015 / 1 minute of reading

Each year, the UMBC Alumni Association celebrates those people who have made outstanding contributions to the University, their fields, and their communities. This year, we extend that honor to the following distinguished alumni and faculty: Engineering and Information Technology: Andre Gudger ’99, Information Systems Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, Manufacturing, and Industrial Base Policy, U.S. Department of Defense Natural and Mathematical Sciences: Dr. Yoon-Ho Kim ’01 Ph.D., Applied Physics Professor, Pohang University of Science and Technology Social and Behavioral Sciences: Bryan Kelly ’92, Economics Co-Founder and Managing Partner, The Kelly Group Visual and Performing Arts: Dr. Lisa Urkevich ’86,… Continue Reading Congratulations to Our 2015 Alumni Award Winners!

UMBC Alums Find Success in the Local Community

Aug 19, 2015 / 1 minute of reading

One of the greatest things UMBC students and alums can do is make contributions to the local community. Alums Delali Dzirasa ‘04, engineering and information systems, and Erin Travis ‘06, visual and performing Arts, do exactly that by stepping outside the campus perimeters and starting their own businesses in Catonsville. See how their businesses help service the community. Delali Dzirasa ‘04, engineering and information systems, is the owner and creator of Fearless Solutions, a company that specializes in application development. Fearless Solutions revolutionizes the contracting opportunities for local businesses that would otherwise be unable to act on such opportunities. Dzirasa’s latest… Continue Reading UMBC Alums Find Success in the Local Community

Narrative Arc: Stephen Morgan ’72, Psychology

Aug 18, 2015 / 4 minutes of reading

Sometimes a person’s journey to become one of the state’s most effective CEOs is surprisingly direct. Take Stephen Morgan ’72, psychology, who is the executive director of The Arc Baltimore. Morgan began his career at the organization as an undergraduate, teaching at a summer camp for disabled adults. Fast forward to 2014, and the Maryland Daily Record names him as one of “Maryland’s Most Admired CEOs.” It’s an achievement that Morgan observes is as much about the organization as it is about his leadership. “The award is flattering,” he says, “but what I like is that it’s for the ‘most… Continue Reading Narrative Arc: Stephen Morgan ’72, Psychology

UMBC Alums Engage with Cultures

Aug 14, 2015 / 1 minute of reading

Here at UMBC, we take pride in what our alums accomplish after graduation. Take a moment to see which Retrievers have been on the move and making news! Ahmed Mahmood ’15, political science, comments on the external tension Muslim-Americans face when addressing issues of terrorism. After a spate of attacks, area Muslims reached out during Ramadan to foster a better image. In an article from The Washington Post, Mahmood shares that “there is a ‘healthy environment’ on [UMBC’s] campus and that Muslim students have gotten consistent support from officials for their religious requests, including establishing Friday prayer services at the… Continue Reading UMBC Alums Engage with Cultures

Round Up: UMBC in the News

Aug 14, 2015 / 1 minute of reading

One of the things that makes UMBC great is how wonderful our alumni, students, faculty, and staff are. Because of these amazing people, UMBC often finds itself “in the news,” so each week, we’ll be sharing with you a round-up of the most newsworthy achievements from our community. Marie desJardins, computer science, works to attract more women and minorities to the field Manil Suri, mathematics, and Michele Osherow, English, discuss their collaboration on “The Mathematics of Being Human.” Kate Brown, history, writes Plutopia: Nuclear Families in Atomic Cities and the Great Soviet and American Plutonium Disasters UMBC Training Centers a… Continue Reading Round Up: UMBC in the News

2016 New Student Book Experience: We’d love your feedback!

Aug 13, 2015 / 2 minutes of reading

At the beginning of each school year, UMBC’s New Student Book Experience (NSBE) invites all UMBC freshmen and new transfer students to read a selected book and engage in formal and informal discussion about it. In anticipation of UMBC’s 50th Anniversary in September 2016, we are looking for a book that will be compelling reading for all audiences and help to provide context for UMBC’s past, present and future. We are looking for feedback on the five books currently under consideration by the selection committee. * Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass by Frederick Douglass The landmark personal memoir… Continue Reading 2016 New Student Book Experience: We’d love your feedback!

Opportunities through Robotics: Kavita Krishnaswamy ’07

Aug 11, 2015 / 3 minutes of reading

Every so often, we’ll chat with an alum about what they do and how they got there. Today we’re talking with Kavita Krishnaswamy ’07, mathematics and computer science. Krishnaswamy has spinal muscular atrophy and has not been able to leave her house in six years. Thanks to Beam Telepresence Technology, a robotic program that allows her to remotely view and navigate spaces through her computer screen, she’s presented her doctoral thesis and attended conferences across the country. The current Ph.D. student talks about her experience with the Beam and her research on robotics and accessibility. Q: What’s your most memorable experience/moment at UMBC? UMBC is a journey to fulfill,… Continue Reading Opportunities through Robotics: Kavita Krishnaswamy ’07

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